Dundee set for Paisley visit as league chiefs consider shake-up

Jun 29 2012 by Andy Newport, Paisley Daily Express

ST MIRREN will be able to look forward to taking on the Dark Blues of Dundee, rather than the Light Blues of Rangers, on day two of the new SPL campaign if radical proposals for a revamp of Scottish football are given the green light.

The Buddies had been expecting to make the short journey to Ibrox on Saturday, August 11, after being paired with ‘Club 12’ when the SPL fixtures for the 2012/13 season were released last week.

However, that trip has been scrapped after a host of SPL clubs – including St Mirren – announced they would vote against a move by the liquidated ’Gers to stay in the top flight.

Now SPL chiefs and their SFL counterparts have drawn up plans which would see First Division outfit Dundee swap places with Rangers in a bid to protect the Scottish game from financial collapse.

Both league set-ups would then merge in 12 months’ time – to be called the Scottish Professional Football League – with a promotion play-off system between the top two leagues also being introduced.

Express Sports understands St Mirren bosses have no problem with Dundee, rather than relegated Dumfermline Athletic, replacing Rangers in the SPL.

The Dens Park club’s large travelling support would soften the blow of losing at least one bumper gate when Rangers were due to visit Paisley on November 24.

Last night, SFL bigwigs said work is ongoing to try to help sort out the mess created by Rangers’ financial meltdown.

A spokesman added: “The SFL is trying to address the question of whether we are in a position to accommodate a solution to the Rangers scenario.

“We are trying to achieve a solution which will be in the best interests of the SFL and the wider game.

“We will send a briefing document to our member clubs to fully explain the short and long-term benefits of a number of scenarios which we will be considering at a full club meeting next week.”